Jack Daniel's Racing aiming for a strong weekend at home track in Winton

Jack Daniel's Racing duo Rick Kelly and Tim Blanchard are looking forward to the familiarity of Winton Raceway this weekend, for the penultimate round of the 2012 V8 Supercars Championship.

Rick Kelly, Jack Daniels Racing

Photo by: John Maricic

After top ten finishes at the last two championship rounds on the Gold Coast and in Abu Dhabi, Kelly, the Winton qualifying lap record holder is keen to compete on his ‘home’ track.

This weekend will also be an emotional one for Rick, as he competes in his last V8 Supercar race in Holden Commodore, at a Victorian circuit.

Having spent their careers driving for the General, Rick and older brother Todd will be racing the all-new Nissan Altima under the Nissan Motorsport banner in 2013.

Rick Kelly: “Winton is known as our test and home track, but traditionally the Ford teams have come down here and taught us a lesson, but hopefully we can fight them off this year.

“It’s going to be tough, but we need gain points and get us closer to the top ten in the championship. Hopefully we can prove we’ve got good pace.

“Last time we tested there we made a lot of improvements to the car and found some speed, so all being well that will translate into a good result.”

Tim Blanchard: (subbing for the injured Todd Kelly) “I am looking forward to Winton in the Jack Daniel's Racing car, at a circuit I know well. I have learnt a lot about the characteristics of these cars, how they react on the different compound tyres and can’t wait to put that experience to good use this weekend”.

Jack Daniel's Racing